Important DatesYou can always see upcoming assignments, presentations, Free Dress days, etc. on the calendar on the top of our class website http://www.issosua.com/grade-5.html.Here are a few to note:

November 23-24th - School Holiday (no classes)

Friday, December 1 - 5th Grade Morning Circle Presentation 8:00 am

Thursday, December 14th - Economic Fair

Thursday, December 14th - Holiday Show

December 22 - January 8th - Holiday Break (no classes)

Monday, January 8th - Professional Development Day for Teachers (no classes)

Tuesday, January 9th - School Resumes

Student blogger: JudyThis week in 5th grade we learned a lot of things like in math we learned how to subtract fractions with unlike denominators. We also learned about equivalent fractions and how to find equivalent fraction. In science we talked about the Economic Fair and also recycling. We also made-up a rap about recycle, reduce and reuse and it was fun making it. In ELA we learned about the thesis and what makes a good thesis and also persuasive writing. In Social Studies were learning about religions and cultures. 5th grade is fun with Ms.Z. P.S Lilybeth need white socks for her Economic Fair project - please help her if you can donate white socks.Message from Ms. P:It has come to my attention that more and more students are dirtying their school shirts during art class Thus I'm requesting that each child please bring in an old oversized shirt to use as smocks for art. These will provide more protection and thus prevent further paint on school shirts. If you have more than one you can donate to the art room, we would greatly appreciate it. MathThis week we learned how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by drawing fraction models in order to make equivalent fractions. Now that they can visualize the process of making equivalent fractions, we will be moving on to add and subtract without having to draw out models each time. Fractions can be complicated, but in general the students are doing well with adding and subtracting. Applying what they know to word problems is still tricky for them, as you may have noticed in last night’s Zearn homework, and is something we’ll continue to work on. I am proud to see them self-advocating when a concept is unclear, and showing grit by attempting problems, even when they seem difficult.ELAWe’re using our nonfiction reading skills to help us find information for our persuasive essays. Each student was asked to write about one thing we can do in our community in order to make a positive impact on the Earth - ask your 5th grader what he or she chose to write about! Last week we worked on thesis statements and beginning to organize our essays in outline form. We will continue to organize essays next week, and write a catchy introductory paragraph. Ideally these steps will be completed in class, but those needing extra time will need to finish these steps with me after school between 3:00 and 3:30 or at home.Economic FairAs you (hopefully!) saw in the Family Letter that was sent home Tuesday, we began working on the Economic Fair this week. They did this project last year as 4th graders and will build on what they learned last year, but the project is a bit different in 5th grade. In keeping with our study of human impact on the environment, they have been assigned to make a good to sell out of reusable materials - no purchasing materials this year! Right now we are working on their project proposals - students are asked not to start making their item until their idea is approved. You may find an electronic copy of both the Family Letter and the Student Workbook on the Homework section of our class website.